Six Brazilian jiu-jitsu students from the North Okanagan Shuswap returned home with two medals each to add to their trophy cabinets.
Winter Breget, Élan Breget, Elijah Lazar, Jonah Lazar, Ty Bailey and Morgan Hackman travelled south of the boarder to compete in the 2015 North American Grappling Championship (NAGA), in Seattle.
Coached by Mario Deveault owner of North Okanagan Shuswap Brazilian Ju Jitsu, the kids competed in both gi and no-gi events.
In the gi events the athletes wear a gi, or kimono, and are able to grab on to their opponents sleeves, collars or pant legs to gain and control position, as well as in applying submissions.
In no-gi they wear a T-shirt and board shorts and must try to control an opponent by gripping the body’s natural handles: the neck, the wrist, the elbow, the knee or hips.
Elijah Lazar, 13, won the gold medal in both of his events.
His younger brother Jonah, 11, proved he to was no push over and won gold in each of his events as well. Also snatching two gold medals was 12-year-old Bailey and nine-year-old Winter Breget.
Winter’s older brother Élan, 10, won silver in both, only losing by a couple points in each of his final bouts.
Eight-year-old Morgan Hackman from Vernon won silver and bronze in his events.